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COVID-19 Response Measures Act

COVID-19 Response Measures Act

Introducing the COVID-19 Response Measures Act

The COVID-19 Response Measures Act received Royal Assent on October 2, 2020, providing for several welcome forms of income relief for individuals impacted by COVID-19. Both employers and employees should be aware of these new changes, which are available to individuals ineligible for Employment Insurance (EI) who have had their incomes compromised due to COVID-19. The three new forms of income relief are described below and will be replacing the Canada Emergency Recovery Benefit (CERB), which will be unavailable after September 26, 2020.

Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB)
• Will provide $500.00 per week bi-weekly, for up to 26 weeks
• Intended for those who have stopped working due to the COVID-19 pandemic and are not eligible for EI or are still working but have had their employment/self-employment income reduced by at least 50% due to COVID-19.

Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB)
• Will provide $500.00 per week, for up to 2 weeks
• Intended to support individuals who are being treated for or self-isolating due to COVID-19
• Will not be receiving paid leave during the course of the 2 weeks

Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB)
• Will provide $500.00 per week bi-weekly, for up to 26 weeks
• Intended to support individuals who are unable to work for at least 50% of the time they would have otherwise, due to providing care for a child under 12 or another family member impacted by COVID-19. This can be on account of providing care due to school and daycare closures or because or they are providing care to someone who is sick, self-isolating, or at risk of serious health complications due to COVID-19.

Applicants should be advised that these are temporary benefits, available from September 27, 2020 to September 25, 2021. Furthermore, in order to qualify for either of these benefits, they must have had an income of at least $5,000 in 2019 or in 2020, or in the 12-month period prior to their first application.

Should you have any questions or concerns regarding the above legislation, please reach out to us for assistance at [email protected] or complete our contact form here.

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